Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Ferguson's Four Year Old Temper Tantrum

The rioting citizens of Ferguson, Missouri are demonstrating the same attitude as that of a four year old who does not get his way. Their solution to perceived injustice is to stomp their feet, pout, rant, rave and break things...any things, relevant to their cause or not.

Childish.


Is there some citizen of Ferguson who thinks burning down a business shows how mature and adult they are? Is there some citizen of Ferguson who thinks breaking car windows shows how mature and adult they are? Is there someone who thinks looting is a sign of maturity?


No, the rioting citizens of Ferguson didn't get their way and they are bent on revenge and nothing less. Revenge is the prevailing attitude of our country today. It is seen in communities like Ferguson, in politics and in almost every other aspect of life.


"Well that's just human nature," you say. And to I say, "You are quite correct." The typical liberal will assert the human nature argument out of the same mouth they use to tell us that humanity is basically good. It is not.


From the moment of their birth, humans have to be taught to do right, because they will quite naturally do wrong. Very young humans want what they want, when they want it, the way they want it, wherever they want it, and if they don't get what they want they throw a temper tantrum. If they are expected to do otherwise, they'll have to be taught.


There might possible be one or two light grey areas of morality, but the vast majority of morality is very clear and can be learned. The same can be said of behavior. Good behavior can be taught. But we will not acquiesce to teaching it because of the requirements of the task.


How did we get to this point in our country? Where did we get the idea that not getting one's own way is justification for disrespecting the rights and property of others?


In modern times it found its genesis in the establishment of a warped, convoluted welfare system that encourages people to depend on the government (using other people's money) for their well being, whether they are able-bodied or not. It proceeded to the removal of cultural/religious behaviors from the public arena, first the classroom, then the school, then public buildings and now public areas. (The exception regards Islam, whose prayers, leaflets and Koran studies are encouraged on cultural grounds, as inconsistent as that seems).


Fatherless homes, working mothers, keyhole kids and the social teachings of the government school systems also lead to the idea of self-satisfaction under all circumstances.


Liberals disagree with that assessment. That's alright. This is America and they still have the right to be wrong.


Wake up, America! Wake up, Ferguson! Mayhem and destruction will not fix injustice. Hard work and the right attitude will.


For the sake of discussion, let's say that Ferguson's Grand Jury was wrong (never mind that the actual evidence supports their decision). What should the community have done?


They should have gathered around the parents of  Michael Brown and Officer Darren Wilson's family to console them, encourage them and protect them. They should have retired to their homes and prayed for everybody involved. They should have gathered in their churches, synagogues and mosks (good luck with that one) to pray and meditate over the human condition. They should have begun to work to change what needs to be changed to right the process.


But they didn't. Instead, rioting citizens of Ferguson chose to act like four year olds having a temper tantrum. That's who they are.

2 comments:

sue hanes said...

Joe - It's hard to imagine that people just automatically set shops on fire and turn over police cars just because they don't get their way.

Joe said...

sh: It has become the pervasive, automatic response when people don't get their way. It is considered appropriate by most who engage in it.